Member Committees

Committees are a way for PHC Members to collaborate with their peers during the course of the service term. Each member is placed on a committee of their choice and throughout the year will plan trainings, guest speakers, service projects, and communications initiatives for the program. Below are the various committee descriptions and some of the incredible skills each member will gain throughout the year.

Communications:

The Communications Committee is responsible for telling the story of Philadelphia Health Corps. The committee will deliver messages aligned with the National Health Corps communications strategy to build support for the program both locally and nationally. This committee seeks to gain positive community exposure, build partnerships, and represent the program to several audiences: current members, family and friends of current members, prospective members, alumni, and local decision makers. Communications Committee activities include curating weekly member blog posts, scheduling daily social media posts, as well as community engagement strategies and brochure campaigns.

Members who serve on the Communications Committee will develop skills in key areas such as organization and coordination, editing, written and verbal communication, public speaking and branding.

Corps Support:

The Corps Support Committee seeks to give both emotional and social support to their fellow members, by motivating them through their service with a positive and supportive attitude, particularly during times of personal and/or professional challenge and struggle. Corps Support Committee activities include providing resources and workshops around self-care, health & wellness, and relaxation, as well as planning group social activities to continue to build an Esprit de Corps outside of other service responsibilities. This committee also plans the Member Retreat and End of Year Recognition ceremony.

Members who serve on the Corps Support Committee will develop skills in key areas such as event planning and implementation, problem solving, group facilitation, active listening, peer counseling and boundary setting.

Learning Series:

The Learning Series Committee seeks to facilitate and provide Corps members with training and workshops at the monthly Member Meeting/In-Service training on interesting public health, health care, or social work topics which expand upon the 10 Core Competencies. The committee will conduct a survey of current PHC members via Survey Monkey to identify their common interests, goals and areas of expertise in order to create a program for the year that is member-driven. Learning Series Committee activities include planning and executing these hour-long workshops at monthly member meetings, with topics ranging from epidemiology and health reform to LGBTQ health disparities and trauma informed care.

Members who serve on the Learning Series Committee will develop skills in key areas such as group facilitation, public speaking, networking, event planning and execution, and research.

Professional Development:

The Professional Development Committee seeks to promote the professional and personal growth of members by assisting in career exploration, providing skill building workshops (such as resume writing and interviewing techniques), and facilitating relationship-building with a network of health care, social service and other helping professionals. Professional Development Committee activities include conducting a survey of Corps members to identify common interests and goals, planning and executing trainings at the monthly Member Meetings/In-Service trainings, reflecting on trainings through Corps members’ survey feedback, and informing members of available professional development and networking opportunities.

Members who serve on the Professional Development Committee will develop skills in key areas such as networking, negotiation, identification of resources, event planning and implementation, verbal and written communication, and problem solving.

Service:

The Service Committee seeks to promote, encourage and renew the program’s commitment to service through the development of and engagement in collaborative partnerships with local organizations, while increasing awareness of Philadelphia Health Corps in the community. Service Committee activities include identifying one monthly group service project for the entire Corps or three to four smaller service projects for groups of 5 to 10 members, executing the logistics of the service projects, acting as a liaison between program staff and service organizations, planning a signature service event for the entire Corps, and updating a database of outside service opportunities.

Members who serve on the Service Committee will develop skills in key areas such as project coordination, networking, volunteer recruitment, collaboration with community partners, verbal and written communication, and event planning and implementation.

Meet Our Members

"I want to spend my gap year personally interacting with people in need while gaining a better understanding of the specific healthcare challenges faced by the local community."